AN ECLECTIC INPATIENT TREATMENT MODEL FOR VIETNAM AND DESERT-STORM VETERANS SUFFERING FROM POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER

This paper describes the therapeutic components of an eclectic, intens ive inpatient treatment strategy for Vietnam and Desert Storm veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. A specific treatment model was de vised by this author. The procedure was a collaborative effort: the st aff and the patients participated in this preparatory phase treatment program at the Tripler Post-traumatic Stress Unit, Tripler Army Medica l Center, Honolulu, Hawaii. The basic treatment is based on group ther apy, utilizing educational, cognitive-behavioral therapy, gestalt ther apy, and individualized psychotherapy, and eye movement desensitizatio n strategies. The timing and sequencing of these treatments are a crit ical part of the model, and we have come to refer to it as the layered model because the treatments are layered, much like the delicious par fait dessert.